The majority of MLB teams end up in or opt for limbo at the Trade Deadline, making a few low-impact moves to either sure up their rosters' depth or add some minor farm system pieces for the years ahead. The Philadelphia Phillies are not one of those teams. Here's Why The Phillies Front Office Gets An A+ At The Trade Deadline.
A Dollar For A Dollar
We all knew that GM Ruben Amaro wasn't going to get the two-for-one blockbuster haul for Cole Hamels he was angling for publicly in advance of the deadline, especially with Johnny Cueto, David Price and other starting pitchers' availability eliminating a fair amount of his leverage. However, Amaro did fantastically to pick up what he did for Hamels, extracting what looks like equal value or even more for three years of Hamels plus an option. Catcher Jorge Alfaro and outfielder are the stars of Philadelphia's return, potentially giving the two high-end lineup pieces down the road under cheap team control. In addition...
Making The First Big Step Towards A Rebuild
There are plenty of veteran pieces still dotting the payroll that'll need excising or minimizing as the months and years go on, but the Phillies took what usually is the first step for any team's rebuilding process -- hoarding pitching prospects. In addition to veteran arm Matt Harrison, Amaro took in three pitching prospects with varying upsides. Add in the three arms he grabbed in the Revere and Papelbon deals, and that's six wild cards slotted into the team's pitching ladder up and down the farm. While it's not sexy, replenishing Minor League pitching depth is crucial to Philadelphia's long-term goals.
Action Over Talk
Finally. The Phillies have been on the verge of a great tear-down for awhile now, perhaps clinging on to an impossible dream that all the team's aging veteran stars would piece themselves back together with chewing gum and baling wire. This is the first admission transactions-wise of the franchise's need for a youth influx. It's refreshing and a good sign that Philadelphia has a chance to turn this boat around before the decade is through.
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